Greece’s EU measure of inflation unexpectedly rose in February, after falling at the start of the year, figures from the Hellenic Statistical Authority showed Thursday.
The harmonized index of consumer prices climbed 0.1 percent year-on-year, reversing a similar size drop in January. Economists had forecast a 0.7 percent fall.
In December, the HICP increased 0.4 percent increase in December, which was the first gain since February 2013.
Prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco climbed 2.4 percent annually and those of clothing and footwear rose 1 percent. Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages registered a 0.9 percent increase.
Meanwhile, housing costs tumbled 7.7 percent and transportation costs fell 3.8 percent.
On a month-on-month basis, the HICP was unchanged after a 1.7 percent drop in the previous month.
The consumer price index fell 0.5 percent annually in February after a 0.7 decline in January. Economists had forecast a 1.1 percent decline.
Compared to the previous month, the CPI decreased 0.4 percent following a 1.9 percent fall in January.
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